I’m not sure where I left you last time I updated this blog,
so I will recap this entire week just to be safe. After about three trips to
the emigration office, I finally was able to bring all of the paperwork that
was required to request an extension on my visitor’s visa. It was actually a
really productive day. I got a taste of what Suzanne goes through on a regular
basis while she tries to keep things running at Father’s House. In order to
acquire one piece of paper we had to drive across town several times. We
visited banks and offices. We dropped off papers to be signed and picked others
up. It was crazy, but it actually went pretty smoothly. Suzanne said that it
was one of her most productive days in a long while; this all happened on
Tuesday (Aug 21). I found out that same day that the filming people were going
to be at our house on Wednesday. Wednesday was then busy because of the filming
that needed to be done. It actually went smoothly, but it did take a long time.
Thursday was Bosco’s birthday and it was sort of a normal day. Bosco got a new
mp3 player and asked to use my computer to copy files onto it. The next morning
I went into town again to try to pick up and pay for my visa. I went to the
counter and handed in my receipt and my passport was handed back to me. The
lady showed me the stamp and it said I had 40 more days. I asked, “What do I do
now?” meaning, ‘where do I pay?’ and she said, “You can go. It is approved.”
What a blessing! I was getting ready to hand out my last 50 USD. It is kind of tricky getting money out of the bank here, but I should have plenty to last me until I get home. That evening (Friday),
when I sat down to write this blog, I found out that there was a fairly serious
virus on my computer and stayed up late into the night trying to eradicate it.
The virus is now eradicated (at least I think) and it is
back to work on editing and posting.
There was some inappropriate behavior coming from one of the
boys tonight that I had to deal with a little harshly. I really hated doing it
because it partly felt like being a bully, but it really needed to be done.
Please pray that there will be no hard feelings between the two of us. He gave
me a sincere apology not too long after it all happened. I just really hope
that I am being a help to these boys in whatever discipline I give, and that I
never do it out of anger or frustration. I want to see these boys grow and mature,
and I know that it comes through discipline sometimes. Anyway…I’m a little torn
up about the whole thing, so prayer would be nice.
During my year at Augustine College this past year I had a philosophy
class which began in the book of Ecclesiastes. Last night I was looking at some
outlines and things and one of the points of the lecture stood out to me. The
professor made the point (and this may not be completely accurate) of taking
joy in our work (Ecclesiastes 3:22). If we work just of ends that are seen here
on earth (under the sun) then we find that we are chasing after the wind. We
should rather see any work that our hand finds as a gift. The work we are given—whatever
it may be—is given from God, and we ought to do that work well. At this time in
my life, my work is to teach these kids here. It was encouraging to be reminded
that this work is a gift. I do my best as a way of offering this work back to
God, and by doing so I can in some small way bring it out from ‘under the sun.’
If I can get it out from ‘under the sun’ then it ceases to be vane. I ask that
whatever you are doing that you do it with all of your might, offer it up to
God as a sacrifice. Don’t go to work just so you can buy food to eat and then
eat food so that you can go to work. Instead,
do what you do with joy; do it with perseverance. You are not doing it for some
immediate gain. Rather, you are doing it for the glory of your Father in
heaven.
I have everything I need to come home for my sister’s
wedding. I would love to thank everyone that I can for helping me in whatever
ways they did. Your prayers were fulfilled in ways that you and I could never
guess. Please keep praying for these kids.
I want to work on some things that I can show to my home
church when I get back, and part of it should end up on here too. I apologize that
this post is getting up here so late. I pray that Father blesses you in this
week, and that you can enjoy the work He gives you to do in it. God bless.
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